The next stop is the Gregg County Courthouse located at 101 E. Methvin St. Completed in 1932, the current building is widely regarded as an Art Deco masterpiece. Its balanced symmetry, bold geometric detailing, and strong vertical lines capture the sleek, modern spirit of the style.
This courthouse replaced two earlier versions, built to meet the demands of a rapidly changing county. After the East Texas Oil Field was discovered in 1930, Gregg County’s population surged almost overnight. With new prosperity came a wave of legal disputes and civic business, creating an urgent need for a larger, more modern courthouse.
The courthouse stands as a symbol of the transformation from rural farming community to oil capital. Inside, murals and period fixtures convey a sense of civic pride. On the courthouse lawn stands a Texas historical marker remembering one of the darkest chapters in Longview history. The 1919 Race Riots led to one fatality and the burning of several Black owned homes. The riot ended with the calling up the Texas National Guard and declaration of martial law across the city and county.
